CEN and then CCRN

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I just got a new job in the ED, and I want to start studying for CEN. I think this will help me learn a lot of new things that I would need to know as a med-surg nurse new to the ED. I was thinking about testing for CEN in 7-8 months and then starting to study for CCRN. I understand that you need 2 years of critical care experience to take CCRN and ED is now considered critical care. Is this a workable path? Will ED give me enough knowledge for CCRN? As a note, this is not a trauma facility, but it is a community teaching hospital with 100,000+ ED admissions per year. The hospital has a cath lab, and a fairly large (28 bed) general ICU (split to two ICUs), plus a 26 bed step down unit, 48 bed tele unit, and around 15 med/surg -tele beds. I may eventually want to work ICU in the future.

The AACN requires 1750 hours of practice caring for “acutely and/or critically ill patients” during the last two years, without specifying any particular unit, with 875 of these hours required within the last calendar year. Aside from the requirement that these hours be in the patient population for which you are testing (adult, pediatric, neonatal) there are no other requirements. If you have not had a chance to do so, you should review the CCRN Exam Handbook. It contains the test plan, a list of testable actions, and review questions.

Good luck in your career as you transition to the ED.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
The AACN requires 1750 hours of practice caring for "acutely and/or critically ill patients" during the last two years, without specifying any particular unit, with 875 of these hours required within the last calendar year. Aside from the requirement that these hours be in the patient population for which you are testing (adult, pediatric, neonatal) there are no other requirements. If you have not had a chance to do so, you should review the CCRN Exam Handbook. It contains the test plan, a list of testable actions, and review questions.

Good luck in your career as you transition to the ED.

Thank you so much!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

I love that you are trying to get better acquainted with the specialty you chose. It really shows that you are committed to being there and not just using it as a pay check or a stepping stone to something else. :)

I tried to take the CEN class and test after only the first year in and missed passing by only a few questions. I'm going to retake it again next spring after a few more years of experience. I found the class itself to be completely worth my time and I almost can't wait to take it again as I learned so much in such a short time!

Good luck!

Specializes in ED.

I'm pretty sure that you need something like 1000 hours of ED time before you can sit for CEN. Maybe go TNCC, then CEN, then CCRN?

There is no time requirement. The ENA recommends two years experience, but it's only a reccomendation.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The CCRN is heavy on PA lines and heart pressures....the ED doesn't provide that to you....it is doable but you meed to study/know PA line and what the pressers indicate.

I have been in the ED for about 5 years and am preparing for the CEN. I don't think my experience has prepared me for the CCRN at all!

When I have a critical pt, intubated, started on pressors. hypoglycemic or hypothermic - I want them out of my room asap. I'm comfortable getting them semi stable - but then I want them to the next level of care.

I am more comfortable with a cardiac arrest - then caring for a patient that arrested then had ROSC 4 hours ago! I think that Critical Care is so different. I would love to move to critical care next to learn the other side. But I wouldn't think for a minute that my 5 yrs of ED nursing holds a candle to a CC RN.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Take your tncc first. Then when ready take your CEN. Why do you want to obtain ccrn? I stidied for it when i worked icu, but the practice questions were enough to scare me off and i worked cardiac icu. My brain just doesn't think that way.

Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

Nicki-

why do you recommend tncc first before CEN?

Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

1. They are two completly different things. TNCC is a CLASS you take. CEN is a certification you study for. Taking TNCC can be part of your studying for CEN.

2. It's not so much having the CCRN but the studying and learning that is the key. Todays ED's are turning into ICUs with ever increasing acuity and invasive procedures. Knowing how any why the treatment for hyper K work, knowing the difference in the medicatino in neuromuscular blockade and the treatment of the patient after they are intubated. And sence your learning, why not take the test to "prove or verify" the knowledge.

3. Having the CCRN may open doors in the future. I.e. flight medicine, NP or CRNA school etch.

5. ED DOcs are now taking critical care fellowships and becoming Intensivists, the nursing staff needs to keep up.

Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

I am also interested in this topic.. I started working at the ED last year. I have gotten my ACLS, TNCC, PAL... I hope to take my CEN by June this year..

My concerns:

1) Which texts will help me study efficiently for the CEN test?

2) Are there preparatory classes in Houston area or even online?

3) When the BCEN says that you must schedule an appoint to test within 90days of your elgibility window.. does this mean that one must take the test within 90days from receiving the eligibility letter?

Thanks!

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